WINDOWSPACE-BEEAC: ANNABEL NOWLAN, DOGMA

Dogma (detail 2018)

Annabel Nowlan has a long connection to land; the land of her family farm and of the Wiradjuri people at Bimbi in south western NSW. Nowlan, a practicing mixed media artist and Sustainable Landscape Designer now lives in the northern suburbs of Melbourne - a long way from the farm.

The appealing garden surrounding the home and studio of the artist clearly reflects a strong connection and respect for native flora, the need to grow, recycle and re-use and to carefully look after the surrounds. Annabel Nowlan’s and design practice stems from this long and strong connection to land, her views, thoughts and experience.

Pre White Settlement - Warracknabeal - Annabel Nowlan

Things that inspire me - Annabel Nowlan
Sunset in Bimbi NSW

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In Nowlan's words the themes of 'Dogma' are a diversion from the usual concepts pursued". Nowlan goes on to say " artists inevitably draw on their identity and personal experience that continue to influence their lives and values".

Hanging in 'the window' at Beeac are swings constructed simply and methodically using rope and glass panels; the rope looks like the cord of a robe with a knot at the end. When we see a swing we think of childhood and the joy of swinging effortlessly high and low, fast and slow sometimes with and without fear. The text is hand-cut stencils blasted on to glass panel, it is traditional and regal looking.

The words poverty,chastity and obedience prompted a visit to the dictionary. But, why a glass seat?

Nowlan

"The sand-blasted text on the glass seats of the swings sets up a parody between the notions of freedom, versus the authority of virtue. The standard association of a swing is fun, a temporary dalliance from gravity and thrill of flying through the air, however, in this context they represent the opposite; essentially daunting, unusable, breakable and even capable of causing injury".

Dogma (detail 2018)

Etched glass panels, rope

Nowlan's personal view is that freedom of desire and love are essential elements of life, and installing rigid moral barriers against personal freedom further incites perverse behaviour and corruption.

Dogma responds to much of present day conversation about religious authority and public and private institutions historically trusted and respected. The work deserves quiet reflection of personal experience and feelings about the text, the virtues instilled and influence on our growing self.

WINDOWSPACE-BEEAC on inviting Annabel to show work discussed the possibility of having a loose link to the theme of Corangamarah Art Prize (www.redrockarts.com.au). The $10,000 Acquisitive Art Prize is held in the small town of Cororooke not far from Beeac and asks artists to explore the theme con.ceit – a concept; that which is conceived, imagined or formed in the mind, an idea, thought, image, a personal opinion.

In the work 'Dogma' Annabel encourages and somewhat provokes thought, questions and opinion by those who pass by and who stop for minute or two...……